Memorial Visitation for Walter H. Tindall

November 20, 2012

GRAETTINGER -- A Memorial Visitation for Walter H. Tindall will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Joyce-Alesch Funeral Home in Graettinger.

Walter Harold Tindall, son of John and Beryl (Allsup) Tindall was born May 22, 1934 near Graettinger. He completed his life Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012 at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville.

Walter grew up and lived most of his life near Graettinger. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and served most of his tour of duty in Germany. On Feb. 22, 1958, he was united in marriage to Sherlene Roalson with whom he shared the next 54 years of his life.

Walter's entire life was spent working the soil and raising livestock. He was a farmer in every sense of the word. He devoted his life to making things grow, including a beautiful lawn and almost a thousand young trees and shrubs. He threw his whole heart and soul into nurturing "his" trees which became his legacy and hopefully a monument to his memory for many years to come. His obsession with his lawn and all of his equipment and vehicles earned him the nickname Mr. Clean. Who but Walter would wax and polish his combine before putting it away for the winter?

Together, Walter and Sherlene enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. by car, motorcycle and bus tours. He also enjoyed buying and restoring tractors with his best friend, John Miller. He participated in many tractor rides from the Black Hills of South Dakota to the rolling hills of Wisconsin. His last ride was July 6, 2012, with the Bully Bullhead ride. He knew at the time this would probably be his last ride. Most of all, he enjoyed talking to anyone who would listen!

Walter's last gift to this world was his body, which he donated to the University of Iowa for research and education, hoping that in some small way he could play a part of defeating this terrible illness that destroys so many lives and hopes and dreams.

Walter leaves his wife, Sherlene of Graettinger; son, Randy and his wife, Nadia of Columbia, MO; daughter, Dee and her husband, Fred of Iowa City; and son, John and his wife, Debbie of Spring, TX; grandchildren: Adam, Chad, Matthew, Chris and Allie Grems; Nicole Romano and Ashley Tindall; very special cousins, John Trager and his wife, Gloria of Ankeny and Nicky Hollenbeck of Laurens; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; his Aunt, Mae Torrence and Uncle Brick Tindall and a host of friends.

Walter was welcomed into eternity by Jesus; his parents; his sister, Theresa; grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.